Branstad Wins GOP Nomination For Record 6th Term

June 3, 2014, 10:02 PM

DES MOINES, IA -

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has easily won the Republican nomination for governor as he seeks a record sixth term in office.

Branstad had no trouble in Tuesday's primary election, in which he faced conservative political activist Tom Hoefling. Branstad now will run against Democratic state Sen. Jack Hatch of Des Moines in the November general election.

Branstad was first elected Iowa's governor in 1982 and served four terms before opting not to run again in 1998. After a 12-year-break in which Democrats held the office, Branstad was re-elected in 2010, making him the nation's longest-serving governor.

Polls indicate Branstad is the favorite to win re-election, but Democrats hope a series of issues dealing with secret settlements given to fired state employees and allegations of cronyism will tarnish his reputation.